This course has an assignment that is due by 11:55 pm Central Standard Time on Wednesday night of the first week of class. Failure to complete this assignment will result in your removal from the course for non-participation.

Learning Disabilities: Characteristics, Identification, and Teaching Strategies (6th edition), by William N. Bender. Pearson, 2008.   ISBN: 978-0-205-51553-0

This course provides an introduction to the educational and psychological characteristics (cognitive, emotional, and social) of elementary-age individuals with mild-moderate disabilities and the implications that these characteristics have for educational practice.  Problems of definitions, screening, diagnosis, classification systems, transition, future planning, classroom management, and multicultural issues are addressed.  Information useful for selecting and developing intervention programs for elementary-age students with mild disabilities including physical and other health impairments are addressed.  Included is an overview of research in the field with emphasis on the study of instructional approaches emphasizing specific methods and materials.  Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in SE214.

1.      To understand the changing definitions of learning disabilities.

2.      To demonstrate understanding of the historical and current views of learning disabilities.

3.      To demonstrate an understanding of the cognition and language characteristics of students with learning disabilities.

4.      To demonstrate an understanding of personality and social characteristics of students with learning disabilities.

5.      To understand the importance of assessment with learning disabled students.

6.      To demonstrate and use instructional strategies for teaching reading, language arts, and math to students with learning disabilities.

7.      To promotes smooth transitions into adolescent learning environments.

8.      To demonstrate an understanding of educational placements and services.

9.      To create behavior interventions if needed in the classroom.

10.    To observe, co-operate, and effectively participate with the classroom teacher and university supervisor using developmentally appropriate practice and instructional strategies for teaching student with learning disabilities.